Chief's Welcome
Welcome to the Division of Plastic Surgery at the University of Texas Health
Science Center at San Antonio. Our mission is to provide patients with quality
care that is compassionate, patient centered with emphasis on patient safety.
Our physicians have trained at some of the finest institutions in the country
and are dedicated to assisting patients in their time of need. We provide
services in both reconstructive and aesthetic surgery. We offer services in
general reconstruction, microvascular reconstruction, breast reconstruction,
hand and extremity reconstruction and trauma, craniofacial reconstruction and
trauma, and aesthetic surgery. We also provide education to both medical
students and residents training in Plastic Surgery. Our research efforts have
produced publications in journals such as Tissue Engineering and we have ongoing
studies both within the Division and in collaboration with research scientist
here at the University. We thank you for visiting our webpage and feel free to
contact us with any questions about our services or to schedule an appointment.-- Howard T. Wang, MD

Reconstructive breast surgery — Rebuilding hope after mastectomy or lumpectomy
Reconstruction of a breast that has been removed due to cancer or other
disease is one of the most rewarding surgical procedures available
today.

Each year more than 200,000 American women face the reality of breast
cancer. Today, the emotional and physical results can be very different
from what they were in the past. New medical techniques and devices have made it possible for surgeons to
create a breast that can come close in form and appearance to matching a
natural breast.

To many women, the loss of a breast is still a devastating occurrence,
one that strikes at their very sense of self. They may feel less
feminine without a breast, find it awkward to have a missing breast or
breasts under clothes, and find using a prosthesis, or rubber breast
form, difficult, and will choose to undergo breast reconstruction after
mastectomy.

Breast reconstruction (surgery to rebuild a breast's shape) is often an
option after mastectomy. Some health insurance plans pay for all or
part of the cost of breast reconstruction and, also, for surgery to the
other breast so that both breasts are about the same shape and size.
The breast reconstruction process can also entail reconstruction of the
nipple, including tattooing to define the dark area of skin surrounding
your nipple (areola).

Although the reconstructed breast will not have natural sensation, the
surgery can create the look of a breast. Breast reconstruction options
should be discussed by the patient, the breast surgeon and the plastic
surgeon prior to the mastectomy, even if reconstruction is planned for
some months post-mastectomy. Two or more operations may be required
in order to achieve a correctly positioned and natural-appearing breast.

FRIDAY, June 24, 2017, 5 pm — Visiting Professor LectureTopic — "The Evolution of an Aesthetic Surgeon"Location — Room 2019L, School of MedicineLynn Damitz, M.D.
Board Certificated by the American Board of Plastic Surgery
Associate Chief for the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Director of Aesthetic Surgery

THURSDAY, December 15, 2016 5:00 pm - Visiting ProfessorTopic — “Examining the Role of the Acellular Dermal Matrices in the Prevention and Correction of Capsular Contracture in Breast Reconstruction”Location — Lecture Hall 444B, School of MedicineMaurice Nahabedian MD, FACS1 Hour Accredited CME/CNE Grand Rounds
Board Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons
Graduated University of California Irvine School of Medicine
Professor and Vice Chairman of the Dept. of Plastic Surgery
MedStar Georgetown University, Washington, DC